6 Things You Must Know About IUDS
Intra Uterine Devices are an effective form of birth control for women of all ages irrespective of their previous pregnancies. There are two types of IUD’s available in the market, the non-hormonal copper IUD’s and the Hormonal IUD’s. Copper IUD’s mostly work by upsetting the movement of sperms and damaging it so that they are prevented from joining and fertilizing an egg. Copper acts as a spermicide within the uterus. It increases levels of copper ions, prostaglandins, and white blood cells within the uterine and tubal fluids. Hormonal IUD”s however work by releasing small levels of progestin or levonorgestrel to prevent fertilization of eggs. They thicken the cervical mucus making it difficult for the sperms to get in. While the copper IUD’s have a 0.8% failure rate around the first year, the hormonal IUD’s have a failure rate of 0.2%. Both can be left in the uterus for 5 years. Here are some things you should know about IUD’s before you start using them.
1. IUD’s do not cause pelvic infections
Pelvic and uterine infections were caused by a previous model decades ago when the string in the IUD’s were thick and braided. However, the ones that are in the market today are thin and there are no chances of pelvic and uterine infections.
2. It can be used by women of any age
Women of any age can get an IUD inserted in their uterus. It makes sense that you are of a reproductive age as it does not make sense otherwise. It also does not matter if you had been previously pregnant or not. Previous pregnancies do not affect the effectiveness of IUD’s.
3. The hormonal IUD’s are more effective than the copper IUD’s
Using the hormonal IUD’s is as effective as tying up your tubes and there is only a very minimal rate of failure. This makes the hormonal IUD’s almost like a permanent birth control solution to prevent pregnancies.
